International Student Immigration Orientation. International Student, Scholar, & Immigration Services (ISSIS) The University of Georgia

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1 International Student Immigration Orientation International Student, Scholar, & Immigration Services (ISSIS) The University of Georgia

2 Online Immigration Orientation This online orientation will provide important information you will need to know in order to maintain your legal immigration status while at UGA. Topics covered will be: The ISSIS Office Immigration documentation What is SEVIS Status Maintenance Employment Travel Health Insurance Contacting ISSIS

3 Role of ISSIS and the Office of International Education (OIE) Assist F/J students, J scholars, and H1B employees of the University of Georgia with immigration, health insurance, visa issues, and other related matters Serve as a resource and a liaison between U.S. government agencies and international students/staff Provide services, outreach and assistance to students, scholars and faculty/staff and their dependents while at UGA

4 International Student Advising Staff at ISSIS Robin Catmur, Director, Immigration Services Ashley Johnson, Student / Scholar Advisor Jennifer Buriles, Student Advisor Dilhara DeSilva, Student Advisor Marie Troutman, International Liaison

Boarded a plane, bus or train, or climbed in your car Arrived in the US and went through an immigration

5 Congratulations -- You made it to the US! You applied to UGA and were accepted (yay!) Obtained a certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) Obtained an F1/J1 visa stamp (Canadians exempt) Boarded a plane, bus or train, or climbed in your car Arrived in the US and went through an immigration inspection Received a stamp on your form, and a stamp in your passport confirming your immigration status Reported to your school WELCOME TO UGA!

6 Immigration Documentation You have important immigration documents that you will want to keep safe: Unexpired I-20 or DS-2019 form Unexpired Passport Stamp in your passport showing F-1 or J-1 D/S Print out of your electronic I-94 card from Visa (Canadians exempt)

7 Your I-94 printout Paper I-94 card is being eliminated as of May 2013 Port of Entry officers instead will now stamp your passport F-1 or J-1 D/S Following entry to the U.S. you may print out an electronic version of the I-94 by going to For more info, see: _releases/national/ xml

8 Your passport stamp Is proof of legal entry & permission to remain in U.S. as long as you maintain your status Notes the duration you are permitted to remain in the US. Should note D/S for Duration of Status Should note F1 or J1 Should note the port of entry

9 What if there is an error on your passport stamp? Contact the ISSIS office for how to apply for a corrected stamp from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

10 F-1 Students: Your I-20 Form 1 2 3

11 F-1 Students: Your I-20 Form (continued) Your I-20 is your Certificate of Enrollment It notes important information related to you, your program of study, and financials. #1 on your I-20 is your SEVIS number #2 on your I-20 shows your program dates #3 on your I-20 is where a travel signature will be entered

12 J-1 Students: Your DS-2019 Form 1 2 3

13 J-1 Students - Your DS-2019 Form (continued) Your DS-2019 form is your Certificate of Enrollment It provides important information related to you, your program of study, and financials. #1 on your DS-2019 is your SEVIS number #2 on your DS-2019 shows your program dates #3 on your DS-2019 is where a travel signature will be provided

14 Your Travel Documents Passport Official document of identity issued by your home government Should have at least 6 months of validity at all times (required for entry to the U.S.) You may renew your passport inside the United States with your home country embassy Visa Visa stamp is the ticket to enter the United States Does not indicate status or validity of stay In general, must be valid to enter the United States It may expire while you are in the U.S. maintaining status; it is not required to remain valid while INSIDE the U.S. You may not renew your visa inside the U.S.

SEVIS STUDENT EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SYSTEM Government information system for all F, J, & M visa types This system is used by the government to

15 SEVIS STUDENT EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SYSTEM Government information system for all F, J, & M visa types This system is used by the government to help keep a record of your information, program of study, & other details while in the US. If you were issued a form by UGA, you have a SEVIS record.

16 What is your Status? Can be found stamped in your passport Your immigration status will remain valid while you pursue your degree as long as you maintain that status. Your visa is an entry document only. Your I-20 or DS-2019 details your program of study. Your status is associated with your purpose of being in the US to be a full-time student at UGA.

17 Maintaining Status Have valid immigration documentation (passport, visa (may be expired after entry), I-20 or DS-2019) Attend authorized school UGA and be making normal progress in your program of study. Carry a full course of study (except for summer & reduced course load exception). Grad students 9 credit hours Undergrad students 12 credit hours If you need to fall below full time SEE YOUR IMMIGRATION ADVISOR FIRST! We may be able to legally allow this in limited cases based on several possible government allowances!

18 Maintaining Status (continued) Adhere to USCIS regulations on employment Re-enter the US with the appropriate documentation Depart from the U.S. in a timely manner when your program of study is completed Notify ISSIS of changes in your address, program, etc. within 10 days of change (all changes must be updated in OASIS)

19 Violating Your Status OIE is required by law to report violations of status in the SEVIS system alerting USCIS to any status problems Reinstatement to F-1 status requires an application to the government (USCIS), significant time, and an expensive application fee It is important to notify your immigration advisor of any potential problems immediately!

20 Employment in the U.S. On Campus Employment F1 and J1 students are able to work on campus (J-1 s must have ISSIS authorization first). If interested, let ISSIS know as your immigration record may need to be updated. On campus work is defined as work paid by UGA only. Full-Time Work vs. Part-Time Work When School is in Session: 20 hours a week assistantship hours are included in the hours a student may work. When School is out: Up to 40 Hours a week

21 Employment Off Campus Employment F1 and J1 students may be eligible to work off campus with authorization once requirements are met. In general, you must be enrolled for 1 academic year before you are permitted to work off-campus All work must be directly related to your program of study and supported by your department To Learn More: Bi-weekly Employment Workshop Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training Academic Training upon request Check the Website for Times

22 Social Security Number The legal use of a SSN is by the U.S. government to track wages for social security benefits Often banks, cell phone companies, or other businesses will ask for a SSN to begin service. Laws limit the ability to obtain a SSN. You are only able to obtain a SSN if you have been offered a job in the U.S. and are in valid F/J status All F/J students who find on-campus employment must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)

23 Travel Endorsement of I-20 or DS-2019 forms with travel signature is needed to show you are in legal immigration status to re-enter the US. This signature will be updated on the 3 rd page of your I-20, if you are an F1 student, and the 1st page of your DS-2019 if you are a J1 student. Automatic Revalidation of Visa can be used if you will travel to Canada, Mexico or any adjacent islands and your visa has expired. You do not need a new visa to re-enter, if you have been gone less than 30 days, and have not applied for a new visa while gone. F-2/dependent travel will require travel signatures to travel and re-enter as well.

24 Travel Signature Day 1324 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA Usually held on Reading Day each term! Bring your I-20 or DS-2019, get it signed, enjoy a relaxing time to eat and mingle If you are not able to make it, you can express mail your I-20 or DS-2019 to the ISSIS office and have it mailed back to you.

25 Health Insurance All international students are required to maintain sufficient health insurance while in the United States GM-Southwest is new health insurance provider for the University of Georgia Visit for more information and waivers

Frequently Asked Questions How do I bring my dependents to the U.S.? Work with the ISSIS office to produce a dependent I-20 or DS-2019.

Do I need another travel signature? Travel signatures are valid for 12 months, HOWEVER, we strongly recommend you get a new signature every 6 months.

26 Frequently Asked Questions How do I bring my dependents to the U.S.? Work with the ISSIS office to produce a dependent I-20 or DS Do I have to renew my visa when it expires? Only if you have leave the US and need to return. I just got back from a trip to my home country and now I am leaving again. Do I need another travel signature? Travel signatures are valid for 12 months, HOWEVER, we strongly recommend you get a new signature every 6 months. How do I make an appointment with my F-1/J-1 advisor? You can , call, or visit our office. If you are on a campus other than Athens, you may see the advisor in person when they visit your campus (generally during March, July & October)

27 Contacting ISSIS Walk-Ins Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 2-4pm Thursdays: 9-11am 1324 South Lumpkin St., Athens, GA Main Office Number Main Office Appointments are available upon request Campus visits outside Athens During March, July & October

28 Send Us an ! Jessica Hall, Dilhara Barber: Ashley Johnson, Not Sure Who to ?

29 Thank you for viewing this required online international student orientation presentation. Please click on the X in the right hand corner to close this presentation and return to the required form in order to complete the orientation process. You must return to this form to participate in a quiz about your immigration status, before you submit the form. If you do not return to the form, and click Submit after the quiz, you will not have successfully completed this required orientation.

J-1 Scholar / Faculty/ Specialist Immigration Orientation Session

J-1 Scholar / Faculty/ Specialist Immigration Orientation Session This reporting and training session is required by U.S. regulations. We appreciate your participation. This should take you less than 30